Monday, May 14, 2018

Wescom activates task force to secure polls in Palawan

JOINT TASK GROUP WESME BSKE 2018. Military troops assist in the peace and orderly holding the barangay and youth polls in Puerto Princesa. Photo shows them standing guard outside the Sta. Lourdes Elementary School. (Photo by Wescom Public Affairs Office)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) Western Command (Wescom) activated early Monday the Joint Task Group “Wescom BSKE 2018” to oversee the deployment of forces that will assist in ensuring the peaceful conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections here and in the province.

The task group will be headed by Brigadier General Nathaniel Casem, who is also the commander of the 3rd Marine Brigade (3MBDE).

In a statement, Captain Cherryl Tindog, spokesperson of the Wescom’s public affairs office, said the brigade is composed of military troops and assets of the joint task groups North, South, Central, and Puerto Princesa, that were deployed early to secure all areas in Palawan and the city, including island municipalities.

“These forces are ready to respond to any eventualities, and to prevent and address election-related incidents,” she said.

Meanwhile, Wescom has been conducting interagency coordination and collaboration with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), PNP and local government units (LGUs). It has an active contingent in the election's Joint Security Control Center.

"We call on every candidate and their supporters, and the voters as well, to cooperate with our forces in the exercise of our duties, and to conduct themselves in accordance with what is provided by the law. With these, we shall not have any problem," the statement quoted Gen. Casem.

For any security concern, we urge the public to report to Joint Task Force "WESCOM BSKE 2018" through hotline 09267166659.

"Rest assured that your Team Wescom will be at the security frontlines so that our constituents may exercise their rights to cast their votes and we can have a safe, fair and peaceful election in Palawan," Casem added.